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Give holidays cool breath of mint

Sentinel & Enterprise

Updated:
11/28/2012 02:54:25 PM EST

Stepping outside this frosty morning for a jog and seeing my warm breath quickly condense into a white pillowy cloud not only caused me to reality check into winter, but also got my wheels turning as inspiration for some tasty treats.

The recreation of this cool breath experience comes in the form of, what else, refreshing mint. Flavors like peppermint and winter-mint go hand in hand with the holiday season, evoking the feeling of cold snowy evenings, mugs of hot chocolate cupped with mittened hands, and twinkling lights garnishing seasonal décor.

In keeping with this minty theme, on tap this week are two recipes to help jazz up your holiday hosting. My White Chocolate Mint Fudge is a snap, and is not only perfect on the dessert table, but also a great homemade gift idea when packed in a tin and wrapped with a bow. The Peppermint Patty Martini does double duty: as a frothy chilled cocktail, shaken and served straight up or served warm as a kicked-up hot chocolate. Garnish both with a candy cane stir stick, and you've got yourself a peppermint party.

White Chocolate Mint Fudge

Ingredients:

2 12 oz. packages white chocolate chips

1 (14 oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. peppermint extract

1/4 cup crushed pistachios

1/2 tsp. salt

Line a 9x9 inch square baking pan with wax paper, ensuring that the paper covers the edges of the pan.

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Over medium heat, combine half of the sweetened condensed milk and 1 bag of white chocolate chips and stir constantly while melting together. Be careful not to scorch the bottom of the pan to avoid brown flakes in your fudge. Add the remaining half of the milk and second bag of chips, vanilla and mint extracts, and salt. Continue to stir until all ingredients are melted, mixed and smooth.

Pour the mixture into the lined dish, and spread evenly. Sprinkle the crushed pistachios on top. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm. To cut, remove the fudge from the pan by lifting the wax paper out of the dish; remove the paper and slice into preferred portion sizes.

Peppermint Patty Martini

Ingredients:

2 oz. vodka

1/2 oz. peppermint schnapps

2 oz. milk

1/2 oz. chocolate syrup

1/2 tsp. vanilla

5-6 ice cubes

Mini candy canes for garnish

Tip: 1 oz.=2 tablespoons

Unwrap a few of the candy canes, and place them in a plastic bag. Crush them with the back of a spoon. Transfer to a plate. Moisten the rim of your martini glasses with a damp paper towel, and dip the rim into the crushed candy canes to coat.

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